The Boston Gift Show will deliver fresh resources to retailers this September, as more than 60 companies make their debut at the September edition.  The influx of first-time exhibitors will create a renewed energy on the Show floor, where more than 4,000 retailers will discover new lines of jewelry, decorative accessories, handcrafted handbags and more.

New exhibitors include Aster + Sage, Bouvier Designs, Branch Smith Publishing, Broken Record Designs, Bumpy Beeler, Bunty’s Gem Boutique, Butterfly Source, C&J Jewelry, Clay Trout Pottery, Crafty Candles ‘N Gifts, D’Ametals, Filia P. Designs, Four Points, Gemini Kaleidoscopes!, Georgian Association of Artists, Gift Shops of America.com, Ginny Joyner, Goosie Cards, Holly in Hanoi, Honey Do Club, Ichico, J. Lee Photoland, Jason Silverman, Kim Bennett Dzinz, Krishna Overseas, Lakeshore Candle Company, Lauzy, Lazy Dog Cookie Company, LongoLines, mimoco, Manoj Raj Enterprises, Max Mead Cartoons, MC Studio, Mimixx, MyWalit.com, Music Gifts Company of England, Nam Kim Designs, Natural Spa by Earth Friendly Products, Nobska Craftsmen, Onne van der Wal Gallery, Pamela Vea Perry, Patson Export/Import, Pretty-Witty Dry Goods, Ray Hooper Design, Red Rover Clothing, Relix, Rose Valley Naturals, Sarci Bags, She-Weld, Shizen Designs, Stellabella Collections, Stephanie A. Kelley, Sweet Bites, The Collarded Canine, Visiontac, Wisdom Carpets, Yang Zhou Fang Long Importers.  A complete list of exhibitors is available online, at www.bostongiftshow.com.

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Pavilion at the Boston Gift Show continues to grow, with several additional alumni joining this special focus area.  New companies include Ginny Joyner, ichico, Jason Silverman, Kim Bennett Dzinz, MC Studio and Pamela Vea Perry.

Also featured within the RISD Pavilion is Aster + Sage, Clay Trout Pottery, DAmetals, Ding La Gift Studio, Max Mead Cartoons, Nam Kim Designs Ltd., Red Rover Clothing Co. and She-Weld.

The Boston Gift Show is now accepting nominations for the 3rd annual Pride of New England Awards, a coveted honor recognizing New England retailers for outstanding customer service, creative merchandising and community involvement.  All September Show participants are invited to submit a nomination for this esteemed recognition, which has quickly become a top honor for New England gift retailers.  Nominations must be received by January 4, 2008, and can be submitted onsite during the September market, or online at www.bostongiftshow.com.   
           
Finalists will be announced in February 2008, with winners revealed during a Pride of New England Awards ceremony during the April 5-8, 2008, market.  Winners will be selected by a panel of esteemed industry veterans, including a past Pride of New England Award winner and editors of the leading industry trade publications.  Judges for the 2008 competition include Tony DeMasi, editor, Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties; Caroline Kennedy, executive editor, Gifts & Decorative Accessories; John Saxtan, editor, Giftware News; Susan Wagner, editor, Country Business; Joyce Washnik, publisher & editor, Giftbeat; and Dave Woodside, president, Acadia Corporation.

Award nominees must be retail establishments that have been in business for three or more years.  Additional information regarding the Pride of New England Awards can be obtained by contacting Jacqueline Zea, public relations coordinator, at (914) 421-3388, or by email, at jacqueline_zea@glmshows.com

Shopping in the Internet Jungle:  Three ways to make it easier for customers to buy from you on the Web
By C S Wurzberger and Pam Foster
(Gift Shops of America.com & Internet Jungle Guide.com)

Your Web site is as important to your business as your storefront, your best sales representative, the quality and reputation of your products, and your company’s brand.

If you own a retail shop, you work hard to make sure it’s attractive to customers so they instantly see what you provide. In your shop, customers can find products quickly, with clearly marked prices and several displays that help the shopper put your products together. Your friendly staff is standing by to help and to answer questions, and is always available to assist with a quick, smooth checkout. Finally, you thank the customer for shopping your store and you offer a savings coupon toward a return visit. It all makes for a very pleasant customer experience. This means they’ll likely return to buy more, and they’ll tell all their friends.

This is essentially the same kind of experience you want to offer on the Web, and there’s a term for it: Web site usability. Usability is about the delightful experience a customer has when they go on your site…so they’ll continue to buy from you and tell others.

A great Web site design contains the following usability considerations:

• A simple, clean design that focuses on customer needs
• Easy navigation or access to the main features, without being too busy or confusing
• Detailed information (other pages or links) with just one or two clicks
• Appropriate and helpful graphics that balance with descriptive text
• A logical information hierarchy, with menus that guide customers to what they need

The fact is, if a site’s not user-friendly; if viewers can’t find what they’re looking for; there’s no point in having it!

Therefore, your Web site’s functional design, graphic design and content will make—or break—your online gift shop success. By paying close attention to all three of these areas, you’ll make it easier for your customers to buy from you.

1. Site Design (Functional Design)
This is the structure, functionality and fundamental usability of your Web site, including the navigation, number and type of pages, menu set-up, any links or downloads, search capability, sign-up boxes, forms, auto-responses, etc. Whether you’re building a new site or renovating your existing site, create a site plan or map to spell out these things in detail.

2. Graphic Design
This is the look, feel and readability of your site, including colors, font choices, text formats, graphics and other design elements that reflect your business brand and help the viewer. The design should blend your business identity (logo, etc.) with words, product photos, charts and other visuals to help visitors recognize you and move easily through your site to find what they need.

3. Content
This refers to the actual words and messages that appear on each of your Web pages. “Content is King” has become the rule of thumb in the Web industry jungle because the content, or copy, is your online salesperson. When Web copy engages customers immediately, and clearly shows them an attractive solution to their needs, the results can be very exciting. Be sure that your site’s content is written for your customers and what they’re looking for.

To see a site that follows usability guidelines quite well through these three areas, visit www.giftshopsofamerica.com.

These are just some of the ways you can boost your success on the Internet. To learn more, you will want to attend C S Wurzberger’s Web marketing workshops at the 2007 Fall Boston Gift Show:

• 9 Steps to a Profitable Web Site
• 9 Steps to E-Commerce Success: Selling Your Products Online

The New Hampshire Stores
2007 Pride of New England Award Winner
Valerie Laker, Manager

1) How do you differentiate your store from the competition?
Our unique characteristic is that we sell all New Hampshire Made member products, enhancing awareness of what New Hampshire has to offer.  We’re also located in unique areas – next to the New Hampshire State Wine and Liquor Outlets on Interstate 95 on the state border.

2) What is your #1 customer service tip?
Greet every customer with a smile and be as friendly and helpful as possible.

3) What has been your most successful display?
We keep a display of New Hampshire mementos that customers see as soon as they walk through the door, as well as maple sugar candy at the checkout counter.

4) What is your advice to a start-up retail operation?
Have enough capital to keep your business going during lean times.  Know everything you can about the products you are selling.  Treat your customers like they are your best friends

We Need Your Input

BGS – Twiigs.com poll

Red Sox fans…you make the call! Will the Red Sox be holding onto their 1st place position in the American League East when the Boston Gift Show opens on September 15?

• Of course
• Of course not

Created on August 13, 2007

View Results

more at twiigs.com...

Looking to explore Boston during non-show hours? 
Visit http://boston.citysearch.com/ for great restaurants, shopping, events and more!

For the latest information on the Boston Gift Show, including an exhibitor search and seminar information, visit us online at www.bostongiftshow.com.

It’s almost here!  In just a few weeks the Boston Gift Show will present a marketplace of quality gifts and decorative accessories – much of it unique to the New England region.  We’re pleased to announce that buyers will find a wide range of fresh resources at the September ’07 edition, as the Show presents more than 60 companies never before seen in this market.  In addition, buyers will be treated to informative seminars by Internet expert C S Wurzberger and Garden Center Assistant Editor Sarah Martinez, who will share insight on ecommerce and the boom in outdoor living products, respectively.  As the Show draws closer, take a few moments to plan your market experience by reviewing the seminar lineup and exhibitor listing on our website at www.bostongiftshow.com!

Human Interests, LLC
(Booth #1275) will present Smarty Toes, a novel concept that solves the common problem of matching dark-colored men’s socks. These premium quality socks have the name of the color of the socks woven into the toe, thus making them easily matched to their mate and one’s attire. 




Bumpy Beeler
(Booth #1361) will present its trademarked line of button jewelry – the only line of its kind that includes necklaces, rings and earrings.  The line utilizes buttons unearthed from around the world and features styles to fit every personality.  Two new lines will be featured at the Boston Gift Show – handmade stone and silver buttons. 




mimoco
(Booth #950) the company behind the mimobot® Art Toy USB Flash Drives, will make its debut at the Boston Gift Show.  They will showcase their various lines of mimobots – the fusion of consumer electronics and the Art Toy world. In addition to their core mimoco-created characters, mimobots also are available as licensed recreations of pop-culture icons.




Goosie Cards®
(Booth #911) will debut its new line – available for the first time to retail – of high quality custom flash cards and stock flash cards.  Goosie Cards are the first and only custom flash cards for children, each one created online at Goosiecards.com with your personal photos, creativity and language…by you for your children.  They are laminated, easy to wipe and big for little hands to hold. 



DAMetals
(RISD Pavilion) is launching its new and fresh contemporary jewelry line. The collection includes hand-fabricated silver and gold pieces. Industrial enamel is used in some designs to introduce color and add energy to the jewelry. Complement your jewelry collection with our fun yet elegant, one of a kind pieces and limited productions.


Ray Hooper Design LLC (Booth #712) will debut at the Boston Gift Show, presenting its new line of floral cards.  Combining the flower photography of Silvia D. Schulteisz and the art direction of Ray Hooper, the new line continues the company’s tradition of elegant simplicity.  The cards, both A2 blank notes and A7 occasional cards, are printed on natural white Via Cover Felt 80-lb. stock.